A taste of New Orleans at home: jambalaya and a great cocktail

New Orleans has an exotic appeal that attracts visitors year round. Late winter and early spring have a special allure, an escape from the endlessly gray winter days in more northern regions. And of course there are its famous Mardi Gras celebrations. If you can’t make the trip to the Big Easy, you can bring New Orleans home with this dinner of some of its specialties.

The centerpiece of our menu is Jambalaya, the spicy rice dish that is garnished with shrimp, chicken, and sausage or some combination thereof. A cocktail before dinner is New Orleans’ own Sazerac, which, despite being popular on Bourbon Street, is made with rye whiskey. End the meal with bubbling Bananas Foster topped with a scoop of ice cream.

We included a playlist of New Orleans Jazz. Make it a murder mystery dinner party for a lively evening.

Start the evening with a cocktail

Sazerac: The Official Cocktail of New Orleans

The Sazerac cocktail was crowned the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2008, although it has always been associated with the city. It’s a close cousin to the Old Fashioned, but made with rye whiskey instead of bourbon, and bitters, sugar, and absinthe. The first Sazeracs were made with French brandy—Sazerac de Forge et Fils Cognac, to be specific—although whiskey is more common now.

Keep the bar snacks light. A few shards of Parmesan pair perfectly with the Sazerac. And you can’t go wrong with a bowl of spiced nuts or peanuts.

Get the recipe for the Sazerac cocktail from Liquor.com.

At the table: a festive NOLA dinner

Shrimp, Chicken, and Sausage Jambalaya

Treat your guests to a dinner of New Orleans jambalaya, a delicious blend of rice, savory meats, fresh seafood, and vibrant vegetables, all infused with rich seasonings. Rooted in both Creole and Cajun traditions, jambalaya reflects a fusion of Spanish, French, and West African influences. New Orleans Creole-style jambalaya includes tomatoes while Cajun versions to the west do not. Shrimp, chicken, and andouille sausage are standard, if there is such a thing, but it’s your choice; use any or all.

Get the recipe for Creole Jambalaya from thecountrycook.net.

Cucumber Fennel Salad with Oranges

Cool cucumbers, crunchy, licorice-like fennel, sweet-tart oranges, and mint form an ideal counterpoint to the warm spices of the jambalaya. You’ll crave it on its own until spring greens arrive at the market.

Get the recipe from gustotv.com.

For Dessert, Bananas Foster

In the 1950s, New Orleans was a major hub for the import of bananas from South America. Brennan’s restaurant turned this bounty into Bananas Foster, a dessert made from bananas, rum, and vanilla ice cream. Once the bananas are cooked, the alcohol is added and ignited, and the bananas and sauce are served as a flambé over the ice cream. It’s quite dramatic and a festive finale for a fabulous dinner.

Get the recipe for Bananas Foster from allrecipes.com.

Set the mood with New Orleans jazz

New Orleans jazz is a unique and vibrant musical style that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s known for its lively, syncopated rhythms, which create a sense of energy and spontaneity. This style emerged from African and Caribbean musical traditions, as well as European classical music. The city is known as the home to numerous influential jazz musicians including Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, and others who perform on this playlist.

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